Top of Utah 1/2 Marathon

This is the 3rd year in a row that I have run this race. It's always the last Saturday before the kids go back to school and a great way to end the summer. Plus it's a beautiful course and each year I've run it with friends. This year was no exception. My first year I ran it with Jodi, last year with Heather, and this year with both of them and Jody S. This was Jody's first 1/2 marathon. I was so proud of her for achieving her goal. She had an injury along the way but was still able to pull it off- and do it very well.

The starting line was perfect weather and all through the canyon was great. But as soon as the sun came out it really started heating up. I kept up with Heather and Jodi until about mile 10. I had been battling a massive side stitch the whole way. It would ease up and then get worse. I really didn't talk much, I just tried to breath easy and relax so that dang side ache would go away. Finally I stopped and walked for a minute or two and it went away. The last couple of miles were long. I crossed the finish line strong though and was happy. My time was 2:07. Not too great considering that last year was 2:00. It was much warmer this year and I really didn't feel great. And the best part was that I wasn't even bummed about my time. I just had a great time with good friends. Sure, a PR would have been great. I guess they can't all be great race days. After I got some gatorade and a banana we went to stand in the shirt exchange line. (Shirts were severely undersized.) I started to not feel so great. I was dizzy and lightheaded and a little nauseous. It passed but I still didn't feel good all the way home. After I jumped out of the shower I still felt like crap so I hopped on the scale and discovered that I'd lost 5 lbs from the morning. (Yes, I weigh myself pretty much everyday.) No wonder I wasn't feeling good. After drinking lots of water and refueling myself I felt much better. All in all, a good race!

Getting ready to leave at 5:15 a.m.

Renee, Jodi, Heather, and me.

Crazy socks again- telling myself it's just for fun!

Waiting to start!

Jodi, Heather, me, Jody, and her hubby Doran after the race is over.

Here's what the last couple of weeks have looked like for me:

Friday: cycling class (12 miles)

Saturday: 18 mile run (yeah, I know. But I had NO pain so I think I'm finally healed!)

Monday: weight class, 5 mile trail run

Tuesday: 26 mile bike ride

Wednesday: weight class

Thursday: 6.5 mile run

Saturday: 15 mile run

Monday: weight class

Tuesday: 6 mile run

Thursday: 17 mile bike ride

Saturday: Top of Utah 1/2 marathon

Back at it.

Beth's post yesterday was just what I've been struggling to put into words. Being injured is hard. Not running is sometimes harder than getting out there and pounding out the miles. But being injured sure gives an appreciation and an affirmation as to the "why?" behind why we run. Everyone runs for different reasons. And sometimes the reasons may change as quickly as the days. Sometimes it's for a chance to be alone. That doesn't happen very often for us mom's and we relish alone time. Sometimes it's to clear the brain and sometimes it's to think things over. Sometimes it's to prove that I can do things that I wouldn't have imagined that I could accomplish. Sometimes it's just to be outside, to be in nature. Sometimes it's because there's a race looming in the distance and I know that I need to put in the miles to be ready. But whatever the reason is on that specific day, I run because I love it. I love the feeling I get after running and sometimes even during running.

Being injured always reminds me that I love running. Maybe it's my personality or maybe it's human nature that when we can't have something, we want it all the more. Biking has been my saving grace this go around. And even though I've been able to put in some long runs without pain and I think I'm mostly healed, I am still enjoying the bike and plan on making it a permanent part of my routine. Now if I could only get the swimming thing down, I might consider a triathlon.

In the meantime, I've discovered a great mountain biking trail that I'd NEVER ride a bike on, but it's a great place to run. You cross through a tunnel, it has bridges that cross mountain streams, hills, sheer drop offs, and some wicked downhill switch backs that make you feel like you are flying. There are wildflowers, butterflies, and to be honest, I can't believe it's so close to my home. It's almost like being in another world. Running on that trail makes me feel like I'm a kid again. Seriously, there's a smile plastered on my face the whole time. It's my new favorite place to run. It reminds me of a Runner's World Daily Kick in the Butt quote. Goes like this, "We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves...The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. No one can say, 'You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.' The human spirit is indomitable. "

Sir Roger Bannister -first runner to run a sub 4 minute mile.

Running makes me feel free.

I was seriously contemplating running a fall marathon. I ran a 14 miler and survived. I planned on trying a 16 miler and then committing. But I really don't feel like my hip is totally better and I really want to be able to run through the winter. So even though I feel kind of left out, I will cheer on my friends who are running fall marathons and hopefully will be able to join them in the spring.

And now for your viewing pleasure, some sunsets I've seen while riding my bike with the husband in the evening. I haven't even mentioned how great that's been. I really look forward to riding with him in the evenings, talking about our day. It's like a bunch of little midweek mini dates. I love it.

And I know these are totally boring, but logging my exercise helps me look back and see what works and what doesn't. So you can just ignore this part!

Saturday: 4 mile run

Monday: 17 mile bike ride

Tuesday: 38 mile bike ride, 4 mile run

Wednesday: weight class, 13 mile bike ride

Thursday: 4.5 mile run

Friday: weight class, cycling class (10 miles)

Saturday: 5 mile dam race, 5 mile run home down the canyon

Monday: weight class, 23 mile bike ride

Tuesday: 29 mile bike ride

Wednesday: weight class, 5 mile run

Saturday: 14 mile run, 10 mile bike ride

Monday: 5 mile run

Tuesday: 39 mile bike ride

Wednesday: weight class, 4.5 mile run

Friday: cycling class (10 miles)

Monday: cycling class (12 miles)

Tuesday: 21 mile bike ride, 2 mile run

Wednesday: 11 mile trail run

Thursday: 11 mile bike ride

Monday: 6 mile run with 4 hills

Tuesday: 26 mile bike ride

Wednesday: weight class, 13 mile bike ride

Thursday: 5 mile trail run, 21 mile bike ride